The man with six fountain pens
✍️ On writing by hand, reading maps, and why we're craving "extreme analog."
Writing this in Waterstones Café on the big table under the air con. I’ve been struggling to work in my flat all week - window walls and no blinds so it’s like a greenhouse. Even my lipstick has melted.
Got chatting to the man sat opposite me – artist & illustrator. Writing in big loops with a fountain pen with his OS maps spread out all over the table. Planning a trip. I was curious about the pen and he said it’s a Scheaffer. He has SIX and only uses them to write and draw. “They help with words and images - and flow.” He looked so serene - I’ll have to get one.
Had to stop myself whipping out my phone to film his messy analogue desk (I love watching men at work). All this thinking in tweets and feeling the urge to capture life’s little moments on my phone is driving me nuts.
“I’m happy to see you writing by hand,” he said. Yeah. I’ve been doing this more lately, trying to reduce my screen time. Things grow out of my morning scribbles, and it’s more relaxing than staring at a blank screen. How joyful is it to sit in a café and NOT get your laptop out. Fountain Pen lyrics. Work on ONE thing. Talk to people. Nobody asks me about my laptop ;)
He said he likes coming here as “interesting people and it’s cheaper. You save 50p on coffee if you bring your own mug.” I’d forgotten about that. I love matcha lattes and it’s a lot cheaper here than Costa and Nero.
As for the maps, he likes to plan his trips “the old-school way”. He also teaches art and most of his students can’t map read as they’ve never had to do it. “They rely on SatNav for everything.”
But what happens when we have a power cut - too many people turning on the air con, or the mobile networks go down!? As is quite likely with this heatwave…
I like working here too - feels like an old slipper. I’m inspired by all the books and delighted the mag rack is back! I can get my Monocle fix. They don’t mind you reading stuff in the café – as long as you don’t break the spine.
Happy longtime café crew too - all in sync. I love the complementary hair colours and vintage outfits. And they remember my order. It’s the little things. I appreciate it and tell ‘em so.
Nika 🍸
“We’re about to see the explosion of analog” — and other stuff I enjoyed this week.
Substack is launching a sponsorship program, along with ‘Creator Kits’ to help us build media kits for brand partners. Open to bestsellers while they test it. I’m delighted and excited – it simplifies things and provides some support beyond paid subs, which aren’t enough for most of us. DIY-ing it is also time-consuming.
This piece on ‘the trust recession’ by Laurence McCahill at the Happy Startup School in Brighton (thanks to Louise for the rec). How tech firms are embracing IRL. A reminder to get out there and “keep bringing your lovely, messy human-ness* to all that you do.”
This interview with Gary Vaynerchuk on what he’s seeing in the startup world. “We’re about to see the explosion of analog… Extreme AI is creating extreme analog.” Driving demand for real-world experiences: phone-free restaurants, physical retail, live events. I can’t wait for the phone-free gig…
‘Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media’ – the DCMS has launched a green paper + consultation on plans to improve access to trusted news. Have your say. Perhaps a tad worried about how many people have cancelled their TV licence ;) I cancelled mine as not watching live telly. I can live without iPlayer.
Mimi Yates’ investigation on homeless delivery drivers. Here’s the ‘story behind the story.’ Great to see this made the front page of the Daily Mail. Part of a bold, social-first series uncovering hidden stories affecting young people.
I’ve signed up for Emilie’s free online vibration meditation after hearing her talk about Sun Kyeong and her personal healing journey on the Modern Wellness pod. Every Friday, 8am on YouTube.
Harry Kane is an Ella Fella - took time out from training to watch her play and gave her a personalised Three Lions shirt. Hope to see Saka on the pitch on Saturday - we need some magic! ✨
We were OK in St Austell until yesterday (Wednesday). Being near Atlantic, we normally don't see temperature variations outside the range of 7-20C. Yesterday afternoon, car dashboard thermometer read 27C (the car is kept in carport, out of direct sun!), which is 5C higher than the previous maximum of 22C last year, the highest since we came here five years ago. No cloud cover, and no wind either (stationary high pressure system present). Hotter indoors than outside!
Still, mum was moaning about seven months of non-stop drizzle until a week ago, so can't complain now!